Electoral Process: Gov’t, UN System Launch Peace Project

Aproject to promote peace before, during and after elections in Cameroon has been officially launched. Christened “Supporting Peaceful Elections and Social Cohesion in Cameroon,” the project was presented to the public in Yaounde, Thursday November 15, 2018. The presentation ceremony was co-chaired by the Minister of the Economy, Planning and Regional Development, Alamine Ousmane Mey and the Resident Coordinator of the United Nations System in Cameroon, Allegra Baiocchi.

The project which started off in September 2018 is funded by the United Nations Peace Building Fund (PBF) to the tune of over FCFA 750 million. According to officials, the project which will run for 18 months across the country seeks to achieve a peaceful pre-electoral, electoral and post-electoral environment in Cameroon by 2020, in which women, youth and other marginalized groups are better integrated into the electoral process, have better informed expectations of the electoral process and have strengthened access to peaceful avenues available to resolve electoral disputes.

The peace project will be jointly implemented by the United Nations Development Programme (UNDP), United Nations Entity for Gender Equality and the Empowerment of Women (UN Women), United Nations Educational, Scientific and Cultural Organization (UNESCO), in synergy with the government. Other national and international partners, including security forces, media, Elections Cameroon,political parties, religious and traditional leaders, will also be involved in the project.

Security forces will be empowered to contribute to a peaceful electoral proces...